TWI582613B - Printing through physical proximity between printer and print client device - Google Patents

Description

Printing technology through physical proximity between the printer and the printed client device Technical field of invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to explicitly selecting a print client of a target printer. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to techniques for using physical proximity to explicitly select a target printer and securely print a document.

Technical background of the invention

One of the challenges of printing files in a common settings environment may be that the programs currently in use can be cumbersome and may not be secure. For example, when a user prints a file using a common printer, the user may often "find" the printer (eg, using a network address or email address) and then install it. A specific driver for the printer. Furthermore, prior to transmitting a print request to a target printer, the print request may be transmitted first through a cloud computing infrastructure. Printing through cloud technology may not be inherently secure, as one or more computing components of the cloud technology may retain access to the user's files.

Summary of the invention

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is specifically provided, comprising the steps of: detecting an interaction event between a print client and a target printer; transmitting a security protocol communication to the print client The security protocol communication includes an authentication component; according to the authentication component, Implementing a verification procedure; transmitting a response communication including verification of the authentication component; and transmitting a file to the target printer for printing.

100‧‧‧ computer system

200‧‧‧Printing the client

201‧‧‧User device memory

202‧‧‧User-side processing components

203‧‧‧Customer Transceiver

204‧‧‧Users close to print logic components

205‧‧‧User close-up printing application

206‧‧‧User interface

300‧‧‧Printer

301‧‧‧Printer add-ons

302‧‧‧Printer Transceiver

303‧‧‧Printer close to printing logic components

304‧‧‧Printer memory

305‧‧‧Printer driver storage

306‧‧‧Printer close-up printing application

307‧‧‧Printer processing unit

2000~2140‧‧‧Processing Blocks

The various advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will be understood by those skilled in the art in the <Desc/Clms Page number> An example of a computing system for a proximity printing process; and FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of a method for a proximity printing process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

Embodiments of the invention may include a computer implementation method comprising the steps of: detecting an interaction event between a print client and a target printer; transmitting a security protocol communication including an authentication component to The printing client; and implementing a verification procedure based on the authentication component. The method also provides the step of transmitting a response communication including the verification of the authentication component, and the step of transmitting a file to the target printer for printing.

Embodiments of the invention may also include a computer readable storage medium including a set of instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computer to perform the following actions: detecting between a print client and a target printer An interactive event; receiving a security protocol communication including an authenticating component and prompting a verification procedure including the authenticating component. These orders are also A computer can be caused to perform the following actions: transmitting a response communication including verification of one of the authentication elements; and transmitting a file to the target printer for printing.

Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention can include a computer readable storage medium including a set of instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computer to perform the following actions: detecting between a print client and a target printer An interaction between the events and the transmission of a security protocol communication including an authentication component. The instructions may also cause a computer to perform the following actions: receiving a response communication including verification of one of the authentication elements; and receiving a file for printing.

Other embodiments of the invention may include a system having a client processing component, a client memory device, a printer processing component, and a printer memory device. The client memory device can include a client proximity printing application having a set of instructions for the client processing component to execute, and the printer memory device can include a printer processing component for execution by the printer processing component A printer side of a set of instructions is printed close to the application. The client proximity printing application and the printer proximity printing application can be configured to detect an interactive event between a printing user and a target printer, and include a A security protocol communication of the component is transmitted to the printing client. The client-side proximity printing application and the printer-side proximity printing application may also be configured to implement a verification procedure according to the authentication component, and transmit a response communication including verification of the authentication component. Go to the target printer.

Referring now to Figure 1, a block diagram shows an arithmetic system 100 in which a print client and a printer use a proximity print law. Computer system 100 can include a print client 200 coupled to printer 300.

The print client 200 can be any electronic device capable of directing a print request, including a mobile device (eg, a mobile/smart phone, a number of assistants, a tablet device), a notebook computer, or a desktop device. computer. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the print client 200 can be a tablet device using an Android operating system (OS). The print client 200 can include a client device memory 201, a client processing component 202, a client transceiver 203, a client proximity print logic component 204, and a client interface 206.

The client device memory 201 can include a memory device for storing data. The client device memory 201 can be built into the print client 200 or can be a removable peripheral storage device coupled to the client device memory 201. The client device memory 201 can store a software application, including computer readable executable instructions executable by a processing component. For example, the client device memory 201 can include a client proximity print application 205.

As discussed in more detail below, the client-side proximity printing application 205 can be implemented to interact with the printer 300 (and the printer-side proximity printing application 306) for a proximity print in accordance with the present invention. The method embodiment completes the print request. For example, the client proximity print application 205 can be configured to implement a verification process based on the authentication information transmitted from the printer 300. The client proximity print application 205 can include a portion of the available application that is already present on the print client 200 at the time of purchase. Alternatively, the client proximity print application 205 can be downloaded to the print client 200 (eg, as a mobile phone application or "widget"), respectively.

Client processing component 202 can include at least one computer processor executing computer readable executable instructions. For example, the client processing component 202 can execute a software application, such as a client proximity print application 205.

The client transceiver 203 can be a transmitter/receiver that enables the print client 200 to wirelessly communicate with other wireless enabled devices (e.g., printer 300). In this embodiment, the print client 200 communicates with the printer 300 in accordance with a Bluetooth protocol (eg, IEEE 802.15.1-2005, wireless personal area network). Therefore, the print client 200 and the printer 300 can use a Bluetooth "bonding" algorithm, and a device can detect the occurrence of another device by the algorithm and print the client 200 and the column. The printer 300 can perform a "pairing" method in which the print client 200 and the printer 300 first confirm each other before forming a communication path over which data is transferred between the two devices. Identity. In other embodiments of the invention, wireless communication may be in accordance with other wireless communication protocols (eg, near field communication, Wi-Fi (eg, IEEE 802.11, wireless personal area network)), and the like.

As discussed in more detail below, the client proximity print logic component 204 can be one or more logic components included on the print client 200 that are assembled to perform one of the proximity printing methods described herein. Additionally, the print client 200 can include a client interface 206. In this embodiment, the client interface 206 is a tablet device screen including a graphical user interface (GUI) with which the user can interact with the tablet device.

Referring now to printer 300, printer 300 can include any device coupled to print client 200 that is capable of receiving a print request and executing the request. In this embodiment, the printer 300 includes a printer add-on 301, a printer transceiver 302, a printer proximity print logic component 303, a printer memory 304, and a printer driver storage 305. And a printer processing component 307.

Similar to the client transceiver 203, the printer transceiver 302 can enable the printer 300 to wirelessly communicate with other devices, such as the print client 200, in accordance with various different wireless communication protocols. In this embodiment, printer transceiver 302 enables printer 300 to communicate with print client 200 in accordance with a Bluetooth protocol.

Printer memory 304 can be a memory device that can be used to store data. For example, printer memory 304 can be used to store printer-side proximity print application 306. As discussed in detail below, the printer-side proximity print application 306 can be a software application that can be executed to perform the proximity printing method described herein. For example, the printer-side proximity print application 306 can be configured to recognize the print client 200 and initiate a secure protocol communication including an authentication component to identify the identity of the print client 200. The printer-side proximity printing application 306 can include portions of the application that have been resident on the printer 300 at the time of purchase, or the printer-side proximity printing application 306 can be installed separately on the printer side. The application 306 is printed in close proximity.

Printer processing component 307 can include at least one computer processor to execute computer readable executable instructions. For example, printer - processing unit The 307 can be used to execute a software application, such as a printer-side proximity print application 306.

The printer add-on 301 can include a sensor that is configured to recognize an interactive "event" with the print client 200. For example, in a first embodiment, the printer add-on 301 can include a physical contact sensor (ie, to detect physical contact) that can be used to bring the print client 200 to the printer. When the object 301 contacts the location, an interactive event is identified. In other embodiments, the printer add-on 301 can include a sensor having a microphone that is capable of detecting and scanning one of the voice interaction events of the client 200. In another embodiment, the printer add-on 301 can include a sensor having an accelerometer for detecting a vibratory interaction event with the print client 200. The purpose of implementing and detecting such interactive events may include allowing a print client, such as print client 200, to explicitly identify a target printer and allowing the target printer to exclude any other qualified devices located adjacent to it. A specific print client is detected and identified.

Printer add-on 301 can be coupled to printer proximity print logic component 303. The printer proximity print logic component 303 can include logic components that are configured to initiate a request to initiate a signal from the printer proximity application 306 in response to an interactive event detected by the printer add-on 301. .

Referring now to Figure 2, a flowchart illustrates an exemplary method for a proximity printing process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method can be implemented as a set of logic instructions stored in a machine or computer readable storage medium, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), Programming ROM (PROM), firmware, flash memory, etc.; implemented as an assembly of logic components, such as programmable logic array (PLA), field programmable gate array (FPGA), complex programmable logic device (CPLD); Implemented as a fixed function logic hardware using circuit technology, such as application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), or transistor-transistor logic (TTL) technology, or any combination of these. For example, computer code for performing the operations illustrated by the method can be written as any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, etc., and conventional programming languages. , for example, "C" programming language or similar programs and languages.

In this example, a user uses a tablet personal computer (PC) operating with an Android operating system (OS), such as the print client 200 (FIG. 1) already discussed, to direct a print request to print. The machine is, for example, the printer 300 (Fig. 1) discussed above. The two devices can communicate wirelessly according to an agreement such as the Bluetooth protocol.

The method begins with processing block 2000. In processing block 2010, a user can initiate the print request on the user's tablet PC via a generic mobile application. In response, the tablet OS can prompt the user to indicate a target printer. In process block 2020, the user can explicitly select a target printer, such as printer 300 (FIG. 1), by using an interactive event. In this embodiment, the interactive event constitutes an action by the user to place the tablet PC over a printer add-on, such as the printer add-on 301 (FIG. 1) described above. A physical contact/vibration detection sensor located in the printer add-on of the printer is identifiable This interactive event.

In processing block 2030, the interactive event causes the printer to be in close proximity to the print logic component, such as the proximity print logic component 303 (FIG. 1), to send a signal to cause a printer processor, such as the printout described above. The processor 307 (FIG. 1) initiates a printer-side proximity printing application, such as the printer-side proximity printing application 306 (FIG. 1). In processing block 2040, the printer-side proximity printing application can transmit a security protocol communication to verify the identity of the printing client, including transmitting an authenticating component to be transmitted to the user tablet PC (eg, A unique session code). In processing block 2050, the printer can use a printer transceiver, such as the printer transceiver 302 (FIG. 1) described above, to transmit the security protocol communication including the authentication component to the use in Bluetooth format. Tablet PC. In processing block 2060, the tablet PC can receive the security protocol communication including the unique session code.

In processing block 2070, upon receipt of the security protocol communication, the client proximity print application, such as the client proximity print application 205 (FIG. 1), may be initiated. The client proximity print application can present the authentication component to the user via the tablet PC display (eg, the client interface 206 (FIG. 1) described above). In processing block 2080, the client proximity print application can implement a verification procedure to utilize the authentication component to verify the status of the print client. In this embodiment, the verification action establishes an action to input the unique session code, such as by entering the unique session code via a touchpad interface on the user tablet PC display. In process block 2090, the user can use the user The proximity printer prints the tablet PC to send a response message including verification of the authentication component back to the printer.

In process block 2100, the printer can receive a response communication from the user's tablet PC and use it to verify the status of the user's tablet PC as the print client. In processing block 2110, a secure point-to-point communication channel can be opened between the user's tablet PC and the printer, and the printer-side proximity printing application can transmit a request communication via the communication channel. The print file is transferred to the tablet PC. In processing block 2120, the print client can receive the request communication from the printer and responsively send the print file to the printer in a secure (eg, encrypted) format. In process block 2130, the printer can receive the print archive and print it. In process block 2140, the process can end.

The order and numbering of the blocks shown in Figure 2 are not intended to imply an order of operation, and do not exclude other possibilities. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various systems and methods described above have various modifications and variations.

For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a user may initiate a print request prior to selecting the target printer. However, in other embodiments of the invention, after a secure peer-to-peer communication is initiated between the client device and a printer, the user can initiate the print request.

Still further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the print archive can be sent after a secure point-to-point communication is initiated, and a request communication can be transmitted. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the user may be prompted to Transmitting the print file and the return communication back to the printer, including the identification code.

Moreover, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the client may be in close proximity to the printing software upon receiving a security protocol communication including the unique session code. However, in other embodiments, the client proximity printing software can be launched upon detection of an interactive event. In other words, the print client can include a sensor similar to the sensor described above (eg, a physical contact sensor, a microphone, an accelerometer). The sensor can initiate a logic component located on the printing client and configured to activate the client proximity printing software.

Various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. The present invention and the drawings are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; Therefore, although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in connection with the specific embodiments of the present invention, the true scope of the embodiments should not be so limited, therefore, the skilled artisan after the study of the drawings, the description of the invention, and the scope of the following claims Other variations will be made.

In some drawings, the signal lines are represented by straight lines. Some lines may be darker to indicate more important signal paths, some lines may have a number to indicate a number of more important signal paths, and/or some lines have arrows on one or more ends to indicate the main Flow of information to. However, it should not be stated in a restrictive manner. On the contrary, this additional detail has been used in connection with one or more exemplary embodiments to make it easier to understand a circuit. Any of the indicated signal lines, whether or not with additional information, may actually contain one or more signals that are moved in multiple directions, and may be implemented using any suitable type of signal scheme, such as with differential signal pairs. Digital or analog lines, fiber optic lines, and/or single-ended lines that are implemented.

The exemplified size/model/value/range may have been given, although the invention is not limited thereto. As manufacturing techniques, such as photolithography, become more sophisticated, it is expected that devices of smaller size can be fabricated. In addition, known power/ground connections and other components may or may not be shown in the drawings for the purpose of brief presentation and discussion, and also for the purpose of not obscuring the invention. Furthermore, various configurations may be shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the focus of the present invention, and in view of the implementation of the block diagram configuration, the platform for implementing the present invention is highly dependent upon, i.e., such Specific details should be within the scope of what is apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific details (e.g., circuits) have been set forth to illustrate the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without the specific details or variations thereof. The description of the invention should therefore be considered as illustrative and not limiting.

As used herein, the term "coupled" can be used to refer to any type of relationship between related components, whether direct or indirect, and can be applied to electrical, mechanical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic, and electromechanical properties. , or other connection methods. In addition, the terms “first” and “second” are used only to promote discussion. There is no specific spatial or temporal importance, except as otherwise indicated.

Several features and aspects of the embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail by way of example. It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the following claims.

100‧‧‧ computer system

200‧‧‧Printing the client

201‧‧‧User device memory

202‧‧‧User-side processing components

203‧‧‧Customer Transceiver

204‧‧‧Users close to print logic components

205‧‧‧User close-up printing application

206‧‧‧User interface

300‧‧‧Printer

301‧‧‧Printer add-ons

302‧‧‧Printer Transceiver

303‧‧‧Printer close to printing logic components

304‧‧‧Printer memory

305‧‧‧Printer driver storage

306‧‧‧Printer close-up printing application

307‧‧‧Printer processing unit

Claims (30)

A method comprising the steps of: detecting an interaction event between a print client and a target printer; transmitting a security protocol communication to the print client, the security protocol communication including an authentication component Implementing a verification procedure based on the authentication component; transmitting a response communication including verification of the authentication component; and transmitting a file to the target printer for printing. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication component is a unique session code. The method of claim 1, wherein a printer-side proximity printing application located at the target printer sends the security protocol communication including the authenticating component to the printing client. The method of claim 3, wherein a client proximity printing application located at the printing client performs the verification procedure based on the authenticating component and transmits the verification including the authenticating component The response to the communication. The method of claim 4, wherein the client proximity printing application is initiated in response to the printer proximity printing application transmitting the security protocol communication to the printing client . The method of claim 1, wherein the step of detecting the interactive event comprises detecting a sensor activation. The method of claim 6, wherein the sensor activation prompts a target printer logic component to send a signal to initiate the printer end proximity printing application. The method of claim 7, wherein the interactive event comprises: the printing client being placed in direct contact with the target printer. A computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computer to perform an operation of detecting an interactive event between a print client and a target printer; Receiving a security protocol communication including an authentication component; performing a verification procedure based on the authentication component; transmitting a response communication including verification of the authentication component; and transmitting a file to the target printer for Print. The medium of claim 9, wherein the authenticating element can include a unique session code. The medium of claim 9, wherein the security protocol communication is received from a printer-side proximity printing application located at the target printer. The medium of claim 11, wherein a client proximity printing application located at the printing client performs the verification procedure based on the authenticating component and transmits the authenticating component Verify the response to the communication. For example, the media of claim 12, wherein the user is close to the media The printing application is initiated in response to the printer-side proximity printing application sending the security protocol communication to the printing client. The medium of claim 9, wherein the detecting the interaction event comprises: detecting a sensor activation. The medium of claim 14, wherein the sensor activation prompts a target printer logic component to send a signal to initiate the printer end proximity printing application. The medium of claim 15, wherein the interactive event comprises: the printing client is set to be in direct contact with the target printer. A computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computer to: detect an interactive event between a print client and a target printer; Transmitting a security protocol communication including an authentication component; receiving a response communication including verification of the authentication component; and receiving a file for printing. The medium of claim 17, wherein the authentication component is a unique session code. The media of claim 17 wherein a printer-side proximity printing application located at the target printer transmits the security protocol communication including the authenticating component to the printing client. The medium of claim 19, wherein the response communication including the verification of the authentication component is from the printing user terminal A client close to the print application receives it. The media of claim 20, wherein the client proximity printing application is initiated in response to the printer proximity printing application transmitting the security protocol communication to the printing client. The medium of claim 17, wherein the detecting the interaction event comprises: detecting a sensor activation. The media of claim 22, wherein the sensor activation may prompt a target printer logic component to send a signal to initiate the printer end proximity printing application. The medium of claim 23, wherein the interactive event comprises: the printing client is set to be in direct contact with the target printer. A system comprising: a client processing component; a client memory device, the client memory device comprising a client proximity printing application having a set of instructions to be executed by the client processing component; a printer processing component; and a printer memory device comprising a printer proximity printing application having a set of instructions to be executed by the printer processing component, wherein The client proximity printing application and the printer proximity printing application are configured to perform the following operations: detecting an interactive event between a printed client and a target printer; Transmitting a security protocol communication including an authentication element to the printing client; implementing a verification procedure based on the authentication component; and transferring a response communication including verification of the authenticating component to the Target printer. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the authentication component is a unique session code. The system of claim 25, wherein the client proximity printing application is initiated in response to the printer proximity printing application transmitting the security protocol communication to the printing client. The system of claim 25, wherein the detecting the interaction event comprises detecting a sensor activation. The system of claim 28, wherein the sensor activation initiates a target printer logic component to send a signal to initiate the printer end proximity printing application. The system of claim 29, wherein the interactive event comprises: the print client is set to be in direct contact with the target printer.